Council thanks employees who accepted Voluntary Separation Plan

Akron City Council Monday night passed a resolution of gratitude and appreciation in honor of 123 city employees who saved the city $10.3 million with their voluntary resignations.

Council President Marco Sommerville offered his thanks to the employees, who combined contributed 3,156 years of service and experience to city government, for their service and sacrifices.

“It goes without saying that these individuals deserve the gratitude of the entire city,” Sommerville (W-3) said. “I imagine the decision to take a city buyout was not an easy one for many of those who signed onto the Voluntary Separation Plan.”

Council in July approved the city’s first-ever Voluntary Separation Plan before the summer recess. Council also unanimously agreed to return annual pay raises.

Those who participated in the separation plan will be paid a severance of 30 percent of the first $50,000 in base annual salary, and 5 percent of the base salary that exceeds that amount. For instance, a city employee who earned $70,000 would receive $15,000 for the first $50,000 and $1,000 for the excess $20,000 - resulting in a total $16,000 payment.